Trial continues for reported gang members accused of killing teen in Indio

Prosecution testimony will continue today in the trial of two reputed gang members accused in the 2015 shooting death of a 19-year-old man in Indio.

Martin Gutierrez Jr., 24, and Enrique Villa Alvarez, 23, are charged with killing Indio resident Julio Chavez Barraza on Sept. 22, 2015.

The shooting was reported at 9:11 p.m. outside an apartment complex in the 83-300 block of Gemini Street, police said. Chavez Barraza was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspects were arrested the next day at 12:45 p.m., according to jail records. No details were released about a possible motive for the killing.

ORIGINAL STORY: Police arrest 2 suspects accused of killing 19-year-old

A witness to the murder — and friend of the victim — testified last week that Chavez Barraza was shot because he refused to give up his seat.

Gutierrez was charged with murder, attempted murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, court records show, while Alvarez was charged with murder.

Jury selection continues in trial of reported gang members accused of murder

Both are being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional facility in Banning, according to jail records.

Twenty-seven requests for continuances were filed in the case since 2015, delaying the trial until now, court records show.